2015 monterey can't decide on a prop

Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
4
So I have a 2015 monterey 204fs I think it's a pretty nice boat. We have about 30 hours on it. It has the 220 horse fuel injected 4.3 with the alpha one 1.62. Currently I have a mercury vengeance ss prop 17" pitch on it. With me my lady and the dog. We are just about right at 4800 WOT. Which is just about right for the boat. I have it at the top end because sometimes we have it full of people. Also we wakeboard and tube allot. Now I'm still not dead set this is the prop for me. I have been recommended to try a 4 blade prop and I also have been recommended to try the high five. Do these props change wake shape at all? I'll also let you know it's not often that we go really fast but we top out about 48mph. We do pull a skiier once in a while. But usually were more around that 20 to 25 mark. Thank you in advance for all the input!
 

Crown895

Cadet
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
24
I'm running a 21" High Five right now on my 2008 Crownline 180BR with a 4.3 TKS. The best description I can give on that prop is that it's just "OK". I'll give you a brief rundown of what I've tried so far. I bought the boat in 2011, and it came with the original Black Max, which vibrated like crazy, but was still good for around 52 mph GPS at 4800 rpm's. I wasn't a fan of the vibration, so I swapped to a 4 blade Alpha 4 20" aluminum prop, and I run around 48 mph GPS with the same exact rpm's, but extremely smooth operation. I also like to wakeboard and play, and I weigh 225 lbs., so I needed some low end grunt. I chose a PowerTech OFS 17" 3 blade prop which got me about 38 mph, but was horrible at maintaining speed with my weight behind the boat. The PowerTech would launch out of the water, but blew out in turns and was hard to maintain plane at low speeds So, here I am now with the High Five. The High Five does a little better than the Alpha 4 at getting on plane, but not so much for a nearly $600 prop. Now, if tubing is your thing, the High Five operates like the boat is on rails. But wakeboarding and skiing, it is disappointing to say the least. I cannot make it blow out in turns, but I lost 8 mph GPS top end, and fuel economy went to garbage. Best I can get is 40 mph GPS, and that's "cruising" at 4000 rpm. With the Alpha 4, I cruise at 3500 rpm around 40 mph. As with all boats, the hull determines the speed, and the shape of the wake. The prop you get shouldn't hurt the wake at all. Now, trim tabs will affect that, but your prop choice shouldn't. I have actually heard good and bad things about the Vensura, and the Rev 4 on deep V boats, and since I would say my overall best performance comes from a 4 blade aluminum, I'm hoping to duplicate that with some SS 4 blades. Good luck with your choice. Hope this helps you out.
 
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
4
That does help quite quite a but i tried a rev 4 but there was way too much bow lift. Do you think that your high five is pitched to high?
 

Crown895

Cadet
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
24
I wouldn't think so. When I nail it to full throttle, I immediately spin up to 4100 rpm, which is what you're looking for with holeshot props. It has all plugs closed on the PVS system too, so I wouldn't think it would be pitched too high. The Alpha 4 aluminum only spins up to about 3400 when you nail it, but the power the boat has in the low to mid range, and up to full throttle can't be equally matched with the high five on my rig. The high five feels like it's just free spinning after about 3500 rpm when on plane...like there is just no power. I'm not trying to talk you out of it. I would just suggest you find a prop shop that will let you try out a few props before you settle on one. It may work perfect on your rig. As it stands, every time I want to try a new one out, I have to sell one on eBay and and break out the wallet. No loaner shops here in North LA that I know of, and the fiance is starting to get tired of my perfect prop obsession, lol.
 

Crown895

Cadet
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
24
Oh, and from what I've studied, the Rev 4 is designed for heavy offshore use, and it's good with higher mounted engines, since the prop routinely breaks the surface. You're right, it may not be great on a runabout on smooth lakes. I'm also considering an Enertia.
 

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
It is all about compromise. What area are you trying to improve exactly?
 
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Messages
4
I agree with the rev 4 being wrong I'm willing to sacrifice a little top end I want better holeshot and mid range when I cut hard on the wakeboard it slows the boat down a bit also when I go back home we have it full of people and still want it to move like it's got juice to spare
 
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